Meteorologist Samantha Davies

Recently in Alaska, a cloud of off-white haze covered the sky. The haze was so thick that it blocked the view of the Chugach Mountains, in Anchorage.

At first, residents did not know where that haze was coming from, but the mystery has now been solved! The haze was the result of sand storms in the Gobi Desert and wildfires in Russia.

Sand storms in the Gobi desert are very common in April and May. The dust from these storms usually reaches Alaska, however, this year it’s worse than usual.

Last week, wildfires spread across southern Siberia and the Russian Far East. Over 100 wildfires were burning in four regions, and some areas were declared a state of emergency.

The haze has stubbornly been sitting over the state. Due to the smoke and dust Air Quality has been reduced to moderate level, meaning that the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The air is expected to clear as a storm system approaches Thursday and Friday.